I have always been a lover of stories.

My love for stories is what pushed me to study journalism while I was attending college at Oakland University. For me, there is a thrill in looking at what others may see as an ordinary occurrence and finding the story within it. Through my coursework at Oakland, and my experience over the last three years at different journalism internships and jobs, I started to find my niche of watching an event unfold and being able to locate moments within it that could serve as a base for a story. I fell in love with this process and I enjoyed watching or reading others do the same.

After I graduated, I decided I wanted to take a small step back from journalism, and that’s what ultimately led me to apply to be a fellow – I wanted exposure to a wide range of experiences so I could get a small taste of other fields of work and see if something stuck.

I wasn’t sure how long I wanted this break from being a “journalist” to last, and quite frankly I still don’t know. One thing that the break has certainly taught me, though, is that storytelling is vital no matter who you are, what your title is, what field of work you’re in or what you’re trying to accomplish.

We are in the midst of our final challenge project as a cohort, and I am working with Urban Neighborhood Initiatives (UNI) on the digital storytelling team. One aspect of my team’s project is finding ways to lift up the voice of youth and community artists at UNI through storytelling. Out of all our challenge projects, I’ve enjoyed this one the most.

Through my own personal reflection, it has shown me just how prominent and powerful storytelling has continued to be even as I “stepped away” from journalism.

• Stories inform. They let audiences know who you are, what you’re doing, where you come from, etc. This can be beneficial for yourself, as well as from a business or organizational standpoint because it can garner interest and support.
• Stories impress. People, companies and organizations accomplish amazing things every day, and sometimes it’s okay to brag about it. Tell the stories of your accomplishments and achievements. Dig deep to discover why you decided to try to accomplish something, and reflect on the process and what it taught you.
• Stories impact. A good story can make a great impact. It can impact change, action and even our own thoughts.
• Stories influence. There’s a persuading element to a good story. Whether it’s influencing someone to support you, join your organization or buy your product, a good story can provide a solid backing for this effort.
• Stories inspire. Stories have endless capabilities, but I believe this one is most important. When I have hit low points in my life, I have always looked to others for inspiration. Hearing a story of how someone was able to get through a tough time can fuel you to keep fighting your own battles, and this inspiration can stick in your mind for years or a lifetime.

In our ever-changing, tech savvy society, the power of storytelling persists. I encourage you to take a moment, whether it’s each day, week or month, to reflect on the stories that make you who you are, and the stories you have observed throughout your life. If you’re new to this or struggling to keep it going, check out this article titled, “6 Rules For Great Storytelling, From A Moth-Approved Master Of The Form,” for some help. This article from ABC Copywriting also provides a solid framework for what makes a good story.